make your own Youtube Channel

With the advancement of facebook, Youtube, Blogger, Twitter or Tumblr, our social networks have expanded and many famous faces in the past several years would not have had their rise to popularity and fame if it weren't for these iconic mainstream pages.  Youtube in particular has allowed it's members to post home videos, clips from day time tv, music videos and even tutorials for self-learning.  With Youtube hits surpassing expectations, expect subscribers, comments, favouring videos as well as the likes and dislikes from your viewers.  Our dear Canadian Justin Beiber made his way to stardom by home videos his family had posted on Youtube, which became viral and even reached producers such as LA Reid and Usher. They saw that he had many followers of his videos and recognized the potential for this young talent.  Some even upload random videos that catches a never-been-seen footage of cute kittens playing, babies laughing, kids playing and the very popular music cover videos.  It becomes a shocker to see the many hits on these videos and what viewers are really interested in. I have a Youtube channel as well that keeps me motivated to watching many other talented Youtubers, as well as helped me even to keep practicing my alto saxophone: http://www.youtube.com/user/Saxxylu?feature=mhee           
Even if you do not have videos to post many viewers enjoy the comfort of having an account to Subscribe to other people's channels and keep up with their latest uploads x)

Sidenote:  I apologize for my long delay of adding another 'Cheeky' blog as I was very hard at work to finally post a new video on my channel. Cheeky tube surfing ~ d'Avelu

Chinese New Year

This is the year of the dragon, which promises a year of luck and prosperity.  Many families of Chinese descent gather together and celebrate the mark of a new year.  Food is the main priority however it is also an excuse to spend time with one another.  Menu items generally include fish, chicken and egg rolls shaped into a gold bullion, symbolizing prosperity, pork Siu Mai topped with black moss, signifying good fortune and wealth, and many other dim sum specials.  Even though I am not of Chinese descent, I feel honoured to have a few good friends and are very inviting to share their culture with me.  They have taught me that traditionally when youngsters wish the seniors good health, a red envelope with small amounts of money inside is given to the children to wish them in turn good luck and good fortune in the new year.  You are neither expected nor required to give a gift in return.  I was once a bridesmaid for my friend from Hong Kong and I was surprised I was given red envelopes left, right and centre throughout the whole wedding day.  Couldn’t complain about that x) This weekend it was a celebration with friends and family in which it was suggested to wear either gold or red.  But with me, I usually pull out all the stops and wear my wavy one shoulder red top, a casual grey blazer and placed my hair in a bun held by two chop sticks.  I ended up actually looking more oriental than others lol  Gung Hay Fat Choy! A very cheeky new year to you too xoxo d’Avelu

Crocheting

Crocheting is a very unique alternative to knitting.  The same kind of designs can be made however using only one hook of varying sizes.  Studies have shown that the repetitive use of such techniques can be therapeutic and fulfilling in one's downtime ().  As the person progresses in his/her project, levels of satisfaction, productivity and calmness within is much higher than those choosing mundane, passive activities such as watching tv or listening to the radio.  A common misconception is that crocheting is aimed towards an elderly audience or that it is a female oriented activity.  Today, many runway models can even be seen knitting or crocheting backstage whenever downtime is available.  Also, younger males very interested in fashion and design see the value of knits and crochet items in their winter line.  Nevertheless, this activity is evident of transcending many generations and beyond grandma's old hand-me-downs :)  Beautiful hats, scarves and mittens can be personalized as well as made into a great present leaving the person in awe and wonder.

I first learned this technique from my grandmother who saw so much potential in crocheting than what knitting could ever offer.  I never thought so many afghans, doilies, baskets and scarves could be made with just one metal hook.  With the huge phenomenon of Youtube, it gives so many others the chance of finding ideas and learning how to crochet by watching a few short video clips.   For instance, holding the crocheting hook is like using a pencil preferably on the right hand, and the thread is circled around the left finger and held between the third finger and the thumb.  It's best to start with a simple pattern and keep practicing until ready to advance to more complicated techniques.  Before you know it, you'll be getting requests and your 'downtime' may need to be extended than you thought x) Crocheting away cheeky ideas xoxo d'Avelu

Pedicures

With gusty winds and warning of snow squalls, one easily looks forward to the end of the day and soaking the aching feet in a tub of warm water.  To get the star treatment with message, paraffin and nail colour, going to your local spa can help rejuvenate those tired toes.  It does not have to be costly as you do your research, or find a few vouchers from Wagjag, Dealfind, Fabfind and other social networking sites and grab a steal!!

In your session, expect to sit in a state-of-the-art spa chair with remote controlled multifunctional Shiatusu massage of total relaxation.  While your feet are soaked in a warm bath filled with salts, your specialist helps you achieve a relaxing experience while maintaining those never-been-touched toes or man-feet you claim you have x) The added touch of a message is what brings you to your centre and wipes away the stress of the day.  A common misconception is that these services are geared towards the likes of women however, men of sport or even business workers have come to enjoy this spa treatment and have made it a necessity to one's routine.  This brings a new meaning to Happy Feet x)  xox d'Avelu

Red Velvet

What is red velvet? How has this taster's choice gained it's popularity over the years? If anything, it seems to be the flavour of the year.  I've never tried so many concoctions of this unique savoury taste, and yet many still do not know how to describe it.  It's just become a cooking wonder.  Gone are the days when chocolate and vanilla were the most popular choice for our ice creams and cakes.  We've gotten bored and these days our interests have become more diverse that it's now instinctive to know how Oreo and Reese's pieces taste like.

According to the New York Times 2007 article "So Naughty, So Nice,"  red velvet is described as the flavour of a cake that's with a very pronounced dark red colour.  Cream cheese icing is commonly paired with this dessert which adds to the sweet-and-sour kick that's gathered in one bite.  Ingredients also includes buttermilk, butter, flour, cocoa and the surprising touch of beetroot.  The history of red velvet dates back to the 1940s and 1950s when boiled grated beets served to retain moisture in such dessert recipes.  The resurgence of this popular flavour can be attributed to the most-watched reality tv shows of Cake Boss, DC cupcakes, Martha Stuart and many more.  Here's a list of what I've seen or tried in which red velvet has come in its many forms:

Red Velvet Cupcakes -Paris Hotel, Vegas; Cheesecake Factory

Red Velvet Sugar-free Cupcakes- Paris Hotel, Vegas

Red Velvet cookies - Coffee Time

Red Velvet Latte -Teaopia

Red Velvet Brownies - Walmart

Red Velvet Donut- Krispy Kream

Red Velvet woopie pie - Starbucks

Red Velvet Cheese Cake- Cheese cake factory; La Castille

Red Velvet Ice Cream - Marble Slab

Red Velvet Ice Cream - President's Choice

Awards Night

A yearly ritual is to gather your gal pals and spend the evening watching our many favorite Hollywood stars awarded for their contribution to hallmark tv/movies films in the past year.  Whether it's the People's Choice awards, Emmy's, Golden Globes or the Academy Awards,  it's a night devoted to looking forward to a) The host, who will either flop or entertain to our liking b) observing the Best and Worst dressed of the evening and c) hearing the touching speeches along with finding out the front runners of the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, and Best Actor/Actress as we also countdown towards Oscar night. 

With much anticipation to reserving the night, one can easily host an evening full of games, contests, potluck and ordering in of pizza and other sweet delights.  One awards night event I attended started off with pencils and paper distributed amongst everyone to which the host had surprised us with a game.  Whoever was to guess the most winners of the awards show gets to win a set of DVDs, movies that previously won Academy Award Best Picture.  Unfortunately, I did not keep up with my Oscar worthy movies in the past year and could only guess based on my liking of the talented actors and actresses.  The game at least got us excited at the mere fact that we know who are the up-and-coming new artists entering the industry, and what movies to look forward to watch:)  Lights, camera, action.....

Skating

Buying skates when I was 9 years old has been one of the best investments in my lifetime.  Surprisingly I can't believe my skate size has not changed since then :) I've only had to sharpen the blades several times and each time skating  is as if I bought them brand new.  I'm not a figure skater but I did take a few lessons when I was 8 when fitting it in between ballet and piano lessons.  I'm hopeful one day I can still do my spins, smooth turns and graceful one-legged tricks again.  For now, I'll just settle for the joyful pleasure in the company of friends, and the random times I get to adore the boyfriend teaching his girlfriend how to skate and the times he's there to pick her up when she falls....*sigh

Yesterday was the coldest day this year hitting a -10 degrees Celsius and yet I decided to try out the new rink at Celebration Square in Mississauga with a dear friend.  When I hit the ice after years of not using my skates, the cold didn't even matter.  It was as if I picked up where I left off and it was slowly coming back to me.  I'm more happy now that there's an open rink in Mississauga whereas many others have had to resort to going to Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, the only place I know that provides skate rentals to the public in the winter.  Celebration Square now proivdes rentals for $10 on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.  After a long evening of laps around the rink and surviving the side-swiping of soon-to-be hockey players, you definitely deserve the hot chocolate near a fire place to help warm you up.  Cheeky winter delights!
 xoxo d'Avelu

Beaver Tails mmmMMM

Beaver Tails is a Canadian delightful dessert that stems from its origins in Ottawa.  This old European family recipe was made into a mouth-watering treat shaped into a beaver's tail served fresh and hot.  I look forward to the CNE (Canadian National Exhibition) in Toronto to experience this decadent pastry only once a year.  I recently found a stand in Niagara Falls, Clifton Hills and I couldn't resist to indulge in two orders of Beaver tails, the Avalanche and Apple Cinnamon flavours.  This whole-wheat pastry is also known to be topped off with butter and your choice of flavours including cinnamon sugar, chocolate banana and apple cinnamon & caramel.

I remember my first time eating Beaver Tails was when I was 16 skiing on the slopes of Glen Eden in Mississauga.  They had a stand at the bottom of the bunny hill and my high school friends and I kept going back for more.  It would be years again before I would see this treat on a trip to Ottawa.  The line up was endless on a cold winter day.  Now, what used to be a treasure hunt has become a local delight I get to experience once a year at the CNE, or whenever the chance comes to travel into Niagara x) Cheeky dessert indeed!

Link: http://www.beavertailsinc.com/

Crepes

This simple type of a thin pancake is easy to make and very versatile that it can be made for breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.  From its origins in France, it's commonly known as a dessert item with toppings of Nutella, Jam and various fruits.  If you're lucky, some bakeries are able to place a stand that's open to public viewing in which most customers are able to watch how their personalized crepes are being made.  Many websites today, such as Youtube, are able to help with certain techniques as well as providing a variety of recipes to follow.  The pictures speak for themselves x)  xoxo d'Avelu

Wine Country.

When stress is high and you know you're tight on expenses to go somewhere exotic, a great get away would be to take a trip into wine country.  A common misconception is that wine tours and tastings are a past-time of the elite.  However, since the existence of wagjag, dealfind, travelzoo and other group voucher sites any person with company is able to experience what it's like to drink and dine in various wineries. This weekend I was able to enjoy to stay at The Sheraton on the Falls, a package deal I had found before Christmas which included a beautiful view of Niagara falls, two free Wine Tour and Tasting at Hillebrand Winery and Pellar Estates.  Some other vouchers included were a $40 to the Fallsview Restaurant and $40 off Sheraton Spa.  BUYER BEWARE: some these spas and restaurants do not put their pricing on line and these vouchers usually end up being 25% or less of what you actually will be spending.  It's safer to plan your own food and leisure expenses to avoid going over budget.

Ice wine is what I look forward to on most wine tours.  I enjoy it's distinct rich flavour and sweet aroma.  Apparently the VQA law requires that all ice wine sold in Ontario needs to be harvested between 10-15 degrees Celsius for at least 24 hours.  Most bottles are more costly than regular wine bottles because of the labour involved to make just one.  You also learn on these tours what kind of pairings of food ice wines can be matched with such as desserts, fruit salads, and it even to be used as a nice syrup for ice cream!

*Sigh, a weekend full of rest and guilty pleasures.  Cheers!!

mmmOreo Pie!

Tried the limited time Oreo Pie from Micky D's yesterday.  Sooo good yet sooo bad...it's funny how they place it in the fruit pie boxy and don't advertise the Nutrition facts...I may not want to know either..... Sorta looks like a turd compared to their apple pie and it's actually a bit smaller too. Having bought their 2 for $1.39 deal led me to compare sizes and I sure thought I was losing out since the Oreo pie was much shorter in size.  Loved every bite of it anyways!  It was kinda like eating smoores but instead with darkish brown pie crust to match the oreo cookie.  MMmmm I just may go for cheeky seconds  xoxo ~ d'Avelu

Volunteering

I had forgotten the beauty of giving time and providing help to those in need.  It's been a while since I had last volunteered with the holidays putting many of my routine activities on hold.  Today was the first day back in a while and boy did everything came back to me!  I was reminded of what was my purpose to this organization and how much each volunteer made a difference.  Whether it's simply greeting guests at the hospital and helping them find their loved one admitted in the ER or being a medical first responder at a community event, one can easily feel a sense of belonging and enjoyment to contributing his/her time. 

There was a time when life had became just mundane and I wasn't sure how was I to go on knowing that I wasn't doing what I wanted to do at this point in life.  You become more caught up with feelings of fear, despair and guilt instead of being present in the moment.  With many self-help books and a major change in lifestyle, the concept of volunteering had repeatedly come up.  According to research doing things to help others brings a boost to self-esteem as well as a sense of purpose to enjoying life.  Not only that but the perks that come up once in a while sound pretty cool to be apart of!! I remember a nurse offered to buy me a coffee once and I also got free admission to a local convention for being apart of a medical organization. These acts of kindness are something to look forward to although it's the feelings of accomplishment, recognition and gratitude that fill your spirit knowing that today you made a difference in someone's life. 

One can easily argue that no good deed goes unpunished or no act of kindness goes without ulterior motives.  My response to that is F*ck it and know that your own intentions are what have guided you to being the best to the organization you're apart of.   You are part of a team that has built your character and especially to those around you!

xox d'Avelu

yeah Nail Art!!

Have you ever noticed someone's nails when asking the person to fill out forms, or even nails of your friend with that rock on her finger who recently got engaged?  I can't help but ignore the obvious and ask where did you get your manicure?  Well I recently attended the Season's Christmas Show in Mississauga, ON and that's when I discovered nail art.  These fingertip designs ranged from Shellac Nails, Acrylic Nails, Air Brush Nails to Konad Stamping Nail Art.  I couldn't believe the variety of colours and the detail of work that goes into a single fingernail with consistent patterns or personalized abstract designs.  Since the time women in Egypt have used nail colour to signify their social order,  it has been a beauty past time and even an art form that catches the wondering eye.  The Bible also quotes about how busy hands are helpful for anyone struggling with anything:  Ecclesiastes 4:5 "The fool folds his hands and ruins himself."....wise advice to foretell that hands doing nothing may ruin ourselves.

With the bitter cold of winter stirring havoc over your skin, it becomes more important to take care of your nails that may stay dry and brittle throughout the winter months. It does not have to be complicated or messy.  Do your hands a favour and buy a simple manicure set, watch a few Youtube videos, start off with your favourite colour and ALOT of nail polish remover!

http://copythatcopycat.blogspot.com/2011/10/roy-lichtenstein-inspired-nail-art.html

Link: Shellac Nails http://shellacnailscnd.com/what-is-shellac-nails.html
Link: Acrylic Nails http://www.nails-guide.com/category/acrylic-nail-care/

Couponing

Couponing is the new trend to saving money.  In a time with an unstable economy and many individuals losing jobs, it has become more important to save every penny or even keep track of monthly expenses.  It may not be necessary to quit that monthly membership at the gym or stop your child's piano lessons.  You can save enough without making too many sacrifices from your lifestyle!  Some tips can be observed on TLC's hit series - Extreme Couponing.  However, a warning is advised.  It is not necessary to be the extreme individual to stock up and buy every single item that seems to be a great deal using one's current coupons.  You need to recognize what are the items you and your family use on a daily basis and keep the coupons that are relevant.  After the grocery shopping, you can even treat yourself to a 2 for 1 coffee deal coupon at your local Cafe and catch up with that friend you haven't seen since tax season. Before work, I love to treat my Mom to breakfast at McDonald's with their limited time offers of 2 for 1 deals.  Voila!! Cheeky savings indeed!

xox d'Avelu

Link:  http://www.groceryalerts.ca/printable-coupons-canada/

French Macarons

French Macarons are the new desserts that are trending today in weddings, bridal showers and birthdays.  It's no surprise that baking these confections have a distinct technique that leaves one running to the nearest bakery and indulging in this guilty pleasure. One bite into it's soft chewy layers and finding it's sweet fruity filling makes you wanting another and ordering for more than just one.  If you're lucky to have relatives in Spain, have them send you a box of their Macarons from their European bakery or even the local McDonald's sold in their McCafe. However, it's not necessary to seek such delicacies from Spain, France or Quebec.  In the heart of Toronto, you can find these delights for $2 each at the Bay of Eaton Centre.  If you're willing to take a trip into Yorkville (easily accessible using TTC to Bay station) checkout Moroco that sells in packages or can be personalized for your own event.  http://www.morocochocolat.com/collections/macaron Just be sure to make an appointment for pick up or be there during the day to avoid all the fresh pastry goods to go out of stock before 5p.

Another place to have french macarons, and possibly a pairing with tea, would be at Pusateri's Fine Foods.  The display case shows multiple flavours you can choose from such as blueberry, raspberry, red velvet and many more in it's array of various bright colours.  These sell for $1.75 each and if you buy 6 or more then the price goes without tax.  Happy New Year my cheekies and hope this find treats you well and can brighten up even the gloomiest of days!!!

 xoxo d'Avelu

P.s. the above stores mentioned I do not represent nor am I paid to endorse such products.  I share my finds and present what is useful to know to interested bloggers/readers/viewers.